From Tears To A Silver Lining, Thanks To All Of You

Decorating By makenice99 Updated 12 Aug 2009 , 2:15pm by Donnagardner

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makenice99 Posted 12 Aug 2009 , 2:04pm
post #1 of 3

I am a cake lover; love eating them, baking and especially decorating. I have been addicted to this website for some time now and learning all so much. I have taken classes at the culinary institute (non degree). I would love to one day own a coffee shop with all types of sweet delights. In the meantime I bake for family, close friends and some of their friends and classmates. I try to get my name out there to build up my money & skills to owning my own. Things have been good no until this past Saturday.

A month ago I made a baby shower cake for my nieces best friend. Two people from that party place orders for their parties. The first cake delivery last month was fine no problem she even gave me a tip. The second cake was this past Saturday. The lady had been on the phone & emails with me since 7/13 about her daughter first birthday cake. Until this point I was always told the date, serving size, color / theme and budget and allowed to create. Well this young lady was so detailed. She wanted cake ideas; I gave her 3 based on her budget. They were to plain so I sketch what the cake would look like she requested some changes. All in a very nice a pleasant manner. She went on vacation and still contacted me 2x about the cake. It was the babys first birthday. I was so excited and looked forward to this cake since I knew how important it was to her.

I baked the cake with no problems. I decorated still no problem. I doweled the two layers no problem. Failed to dowel through the center of the 3 tiers, hit a pot hole and my cake shifted. Well only the bottom tier shifted ½ inch or so. This was the worst possible tier since it was the one with the childs name on it. I wanted to cry my heart out. Since I use a good amount of buttercream I was able to do a little repair where it was presentable. However, I couldnt fix the buckle of the name. I offered to go home and get some buttercream and fondant to fix the problem but my clients was so sweet and understands and said accidents happen its alright as is. I was so upset with myself I just wanted to cry I know if it was my cake I would be furious. When I finished fixing it as best I could she went to pay me. She handed me the whole amount. I couldnt take it. I reduced the price do to all the work she put into it and I was the one who ruined the cake. She insisted its alright but I reduced the price left the hall thinking this was my last cake for people other than my family.

I got home and told my family what happened. I wanted to frost a dummy cake and take it back so the cake table looked perfect. My family said its over just let it go, so I tried to do that. I always send a thank you email to my clients the Monday after their event. In this case I sent a thank you for the opportunity email again apologizing. I didnt expect to hear from her and knew I had lost a client as well as her guest.

To my amazing surprise she wrote back. The cake was great. It taste wonderful and her and her guest enjoyed it. She had three people ask for my number and information, she passed it on. However, the best part was she is christening the baby in a few weeks and she is placing her order with me. Oh I was screaming with excitement like I won a slot machine jackpot on my first quarter.

I want to thank all of the amazing people on this site who have shared all of their information. Without you all I would have never known how to save the cake, cut the cost and make a life time customer. Thanks everyone and have a wonderful day.

2 replies
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woodruffbn Posted 12 Aug 2009 , 2:12pm
post #2 of 3

That's AWESOME!! I'm glad it all turned out good!

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Donnagardner Posted 12 Aug 2009 , 2:15pm
post #3 of 3

Kuddos to both of you!!!!

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